A sleep study is a test used to diagnose sleep disorders. You will be asked to come for the sleep study in the evening so the test can record your normal nighttime patterns. These studies are done to find out what is causing your sleep problems.

Some common sleep problems include:

Sleep apnea – this is when an adult stops breathing during sleep for 10 seconds or longer. This may be caused by blocked airflow during sleep, such as from narrowed airways. Or it may be caused by a problem with how the brain signals the breathing muscles to work.

Narcolepsy is when you have problems staying awake.

Sleepwalking, night terrors or bed-wetting are other nighttime behavior problems.

Insomnia is having problems sleeping at night.

Sleep studies can also determine whether you have a problem with your stages of sleep. Sleep studies are done is a sleep lab, usually located in a hospital. The studies are scheduled for overnight in a private hospital bed. Annie Jeffrey Health Center offers sleep studies.

During the sleep study, a trained sleep lab technician will place small discs called electrodes on your head and body. These electrodes record your brain activity, eye movement, oxygen and carbon dioxide blood levels, heart rate and rhythm, breathing rate and rhythm, the flow of air through your mouth and nose, snoring, body muscle movements, and chest and belly movements. The electrodes are designed to be as comfortable as possible and should not make it hard to sleep.

To find out more about having a sleep study, call Annie Jeffrey Health Center at 402-747-2031.